Firms understand importance of investing in connectivity, survey suggests
Businesses are eager to invest in upgrading their technology, including their internet and data services connections, according to a recent survey carried out by the Corporate IT Forum.
Study to look at popularity of IT as a Utility
The concept of IT as a utility is to be researched by a group of universities in the UK to establish why it has become an on-demand product for many businesses.
Business demand for VoIP services growing fast
The demand for business VoIP services is growing fast and is predicted to reach $20.8 billion by 2018, a new global report has found.
Low cost is VoIP’s main appeal for small businesses
A recent guide for small businesses on buying VoIP has noted that the low cost of VoIP is its main attraction for small firms.
A newspaper editorial has called for more debate on the future of broadband and for the issue to be taken as seriously as infrastructure matters such as energy, transport and housing.
Businesses find middle ground between on-site and cloud computing
The hype surrounding cloud computing is slowly starting to level off as businesses find a practical middle ground between cloud and on-site services.
House of Lords criticises government's broadband strategy
A House of Lords’ Communications Committee report has warned that the UK’s internet strategy could fall short of delivering the network capability the country needs.
The cloud can save firms money in the long run
Although the initial bills can be steep, moving to the cloud can help your business to make savings in the long-run.
This is according to a recent report in Cloud Pro, which urged businesses to take a long-term view when considering opting for cloud computing.
Ofcom spectrum auction details released
Ofcom has announced details of its spectrum auction, which will enable the roll-out of 4G services across UK mobile networks.
The majority of the spectrum is expected to go to Vodafone, Everything Everywhere and O2, although a fourth operator will also be sold some spectrum to ensure competition is increased.
IP communications firms urged to sign code of practice
IP communications companies are being urged to sign up to a new code of practice on the openness of the internet.
Broadband suffering from north-south divide
New research from price comparison site uSwitch suggests that there is a north-south divide when it comes to the standard of broadband in the UK.
Managed networks a growing trend
Outsourced IT services such as managed networks will continue to be in demand, experts have predicted.
UK broadband ranking improves
The UK’s global broadband ranking has improved, according to the latest figures published by the OECD.
The statistics, from research on global broadband usage between September and December 2011, found that the UK is now ranked eighth, up from ninth last year.
VoIP creating demand for managed service providers
The growth in the use of VoIP is creating more demand for managed service providers (MSP), according to a new report from Infonetics Research.
Rural Yorkshire set for broadband revolution
North Yorkshire is set for what has been hailed as a “communications revolution”, as the council unveils plans for superfast broadband throughout the county.
SaaS diagnostics tool launched
A medical informatics firm has launched a new SaaS tool which can help diagnose illnesses.
The cloud platform, launched by GenoSpace, aims to offer patients personalised medical treatment based on their genes.
According to CloudPro, “The new service allows medical professionals to take data from a patient’s genome and present it in a form that is easier to understand.”
Slow broadband could be damaging London economy
Slow and unreliable broadband could be damaging London’s economy, it has been suggested.
The London Assembly’s Economy Committee has claimed that broadband issues may discourage high-tech businesses from locating in London.
EU Commission pushes for broadband policy adoption
The EU Commission (EC) is pushing for the formal adoption of its broadband policy by all member states by the end of this year, it has said.
Melton invests in super fast broadband
Melton has become the first town in Leicestershire to approve funding for super fast broadband for the area.
Cloud computing investment remains resilient
IT spending on cloud computing looks set to remain resilient, despite the global economic climate, according to new research.
Broadband networks can cope with Olympics demand, says Cabinet Office
The Government says it believes broadband services can cope with the additional demands anticipated during the Olympics.
Renault rolls out SaaS HR system
Car firm Renault is rolling out a new SaaS HR system across its international business, it as been announced.
The vehicle manufacturer will link the SaaS system with its current on-site SAP core data repository, which hosts its HR master data. The new system, which is part of a project called Talent@Renault, is set to be rolled out at the end of August.
Network operators using the cloud to reduce testing costs
Service providers are increasingly turning to the cloud for testing and monitoring in order to reduce costs, new research has suggested.
CMG invests in leased line in cloud move
Career Moves Group (CMG), one of London’s top recruitment agencies, has moved its entire IT infrastructure to the cloud, it has announced.
Half of organisations plan to use PaaS by 2014
New research suggests that Platform-as-a-Service (Paas) is becoming increasingly popular with businesses.
A study from business intelligence firm Jaspersoft has revealed that 45 per cent of all businesses globally are set to adopt PaaS in the next two years. The study found that 14 per cent are already using PaaS.
Majority of businesses plan to use cloud computing
A massive 90 per cent of firms plan to use cloud computing in their business, new research from Cisco has found.
New IP communications standard takes effect
World IPv6, a new internet standard, has now come into effect online.
BT to roll out superfast broadband to another 150,000 homes
BT is to roll out superfast broadband to another 150,000 homes in Scotland, it has been announced.
Belfast to roll out free Wi-Fi across the city
Belfast is aiming to offer 100 per cent free wireless internet across the city, according to reports.
Belfast has already been allocated £6 million of funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s £100m Urban Broadband Fund. It hopes to secure another £7.7 million to roll out free Wi-Fi throughout the city.
Trust in cloud computing increasing
Businesses increasingly trust the use of cloud computing, even for critical applications, new research has suggested.
The Future of Cloud Computing Survey, published by North Bridge Venture Partners, has found that of almost 800 respondents, 50 per cent have confidence that cloud solutions are suitable for essential business applications.
600 million people now subscribed to broadband
Over 600 million people globally are now broadband subscribers, according to new figures released by the broadband forum.
London Underground to get mobile coverage
Passengers on the London Underground will soon be able to call, text and send emails whilst travelling for the first time.
A recent statement from BT's group strategy director, Sean Williams, about the need for fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband, has caused some controversy.
Mr Williams said that not the whole of the UK needed FTTP broadband connections, adding that the forthcoming extra fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) and copper wires currently being used will be adequate to produce the extra performance capacity required.
Make sure your business is ready for the Olympics
Computerworld has put together a useful ‘checklist’ for businesses that want to ensure their IT systems do not falter during the Olympics.
BBC IT head warns of 'nesting' cloud SLAs
The head of IT strategy at the BBC, Paul Boynes, has warned businesses to beware of questionable service level agreements with cloud providers when starting out with cloud computing.
Lobby group wants US firms taxed for bandwidth use
Recent reports from Cnet claim that the European Telecommunications Network Operators Association (ETNOA) is calling or major internet firms to be taxed for the bandwidth they use.
UK needs FTTC to catch up with European connection speeds
The introduction and roll-out of more 'fibre-to-the-cabinet' (FTTC) networks in the UK will help to push the UK to become one of the speedier nations in Europe when it comes to broadband connections.
Cloud gaming could be the future, says Microsoft
Cloud gaming could become more popular and widespread than gaming through consoles when bandwidth has developed enough to allow it, according to tech giant Microsoft.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft Games Studio head, told news.com.au: "Cloud is a huge opportunity. But if you look at the internet capabilities today, it's a challenge.
VoIP ideal for small businesses says expert
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP as it’s more usually referred to, can be a great addition to the daily operation of a small or medium sized business.
Europe lagging behind US in cloud computing uptake
Research by Gartner has found European adoption of cloud computing will probably lag behind US uptake by at least two years, this is mainly due to concerns over data security and regulatory obstacles.
Poll finds Brits not willing to pay over £30 for fast broadband
A poll carried out by the PC Advisor website has found that the majority of people were not keen to pay over £30 for fast broadband speeds of 100Mbps.
New report finds rural areas still enduring slow broadband
Firms based in the countryside are too often having to cope with slow broadband connections, according to a new survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Comcast ditches 250GB bandwidth cap
Comcast is rethinking its position on bandwidth caps by ditching its flat 250GB bandwidth cap and experimenting with tiered service options.
The firm said they were responding to news stories and customer feedback criticising bandwidth caps policies following the introduction of its Xfinity TV app and its XfinityTV on the Xbox app, among others.
Council's £175,000 savings with WAN deal
Upgrades and improvements to East Lothian council’s networking could save £175,000 per year. The local authority has tackled wide area network (WAN) costs to reduce site overheads in a new five-year deal with Updata.
Wi-Fi advances in Japan smash record
Researchers in Japan have smashed a Wi-Fi record, confirming theories that a new "T-ray" band could offer huge bandwidth for data transmission.
Mobile VoIP a tool of the modern office
As technology battles to keep up with the needs of the modern office, mobile Voice over IP (VoIP) can help businesses stay in touch with work-at-home employees.
Superfast Cornwall research to look at the potential of FTTC
Superfast Cornwall Labs is a project set up to look at ways that the region can benefit from the new superfast broadband being installed by BT.
Nokia pulls out of free Wi-Fi pledge
Finnish mobile firm Nokia has announced it is pulling out of a project to offer free Wi-Fi to Londoners.
The initiative, which was revealed just six months ago, was intended to provide free Wi-Fi access from 26 locations, based in public phone boxes in areas of London as diverse as Bloomsbury, Tottenham Court Road and Victoria.
Proposals invited as part of for rural broadband project
Rural regions of the UK are being invited to apply for their stake of a £20 million fund being made available to provide ultra-fast broadband to the worst-connected areas.
Brits growing frustrated with broadband network
A report in The Guardian this week claims that consumers in the UK are angry about poor broadband speeds and even angrier about unfounded claims made by providers.
